The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1887-08-20
MAD0IINE'S FATE.
by X. 7.
CHAPTER I.-CoNTTNUED.

CHAGlEh l.-NONTINUED.
al thought you understood" he
said. his voice scarcely above his breath.
81 am under the ban Of concealment.
While can remain here undiscovered,
had best not 90 until l have
strength To avoid those who might pur-
sue ne"
lie stopped abruptly, as though for
a second time he had uttered his
thoughts 10 closely.
Whatever his secret, he could not
let this girl share II, and he felt that
already he had said too much in her
hearing.
Madeline watched him regretfully,
longing yet not daring again to ask
him to trust her.
"How will you llve--how get food?"
she said after q short silence. you
are too i'll TO help yourself. What will
you do here alone when night comes
on, and the air gets chilly? This poor
roof will scarcely shelter you from the
damp, and the long dark hours viii be
almost unbearable."
He smiled in spite Of the embarrass-
ing position in which he found himself,
in spite OF the physical torture he was
enduring torture IL was, TO sit
erect and talk with composure, while
every nerve thrilled with strain that
had well-nigh broken his strength.
"If 1 were not 80 crippled, could
exist here quite happily, he replied,
looking At the patch OF blue sky that
showed through the ruined window.
AS 10 is--well, ] am at your mercy"
There was something so singularly
pathetic in the weakness expressed
with so much courage, and on an i'm
pulse Madeline held out her hand TO
him.
II will not fail you," she promised,
as his hand closed eagerly on her hand.
"Fate brought me TO you to-day, and
! will be your friend"
"The sweetest friend man ever had"
he said, his eyes softening as they
dweIt on her fair delicate face. "You
have given me new life. / only hope
II you ever need mans strength,
shall be near TO serve you"
"If can be useful 10 you. | shall
be content" she replied as her hand
fell lightly from his hold. "Your
safety will be my best recompense-I
desire nothing more"
"You are very good" he murmured,
a glow OF intense feeling illumining
his drawn white features. yours
has been like an angels visit; | shall
not forget how we have met to-day"
yet you do not ask me my name,"
she said, tinge OF color creeping
into her cheeks.
His lips contracted. and his deep
eyes gazed at her with earnest pride.
"Because | cannot reveal TO you
my own. Your kindness does not
give me right to expect from you a
confidence can not return"
But have no secret" she answered.
glancing brightly at him, "and my
name is as well known round the
country as this old mill Is, am Man.
dollne, the daughter of Cuthbert Clyde,
20 whom this land, as far round as
the gaze can stretch, belongs. Per-
haps you have met my fatherg"
He shook his head.
"No; nor can / meet him now.
You will not forget thatg'
III will not forget anything you
have told me. AS far as It rests with
me, you have safe hiding-place here,
for this mill Is mine, and nobody ever
interferes with my right 10 keep II Sc
cluded TO myself"
III must apologize for having In
truded in so unwelcome fashion.
From this moment until l am well
enough TO crawl away, or until you
bid me 90, shall consider myself
your guest"
Mandoline gazed rather disconso-
lately on the comfortless surround
ings, and then her glance rested again
on the handsome haggard features OF